Podcast "Červený nebo bílý?" (Red or White?) – Episode 42

042: Master of Wine Caroline Gilby Discusses the Future of Central and Eastern European Wine and Indigenous Varieties

On the occasion of the inaugural International Blaufränkisch Day, Czech National Sommelier Klára Kollárová welcomed a distinguished guest to the podcast: Caroline Gilby MW from the United Kingdom. One of the leading international authorities on the wines of Central and Eastern Europe, Caroline serves as Regional Chair for Eastern Europe at the Decanter World Wine Awards and has spent decades championing the region's wine heritage.

In this episode, Caroline reflects on what first drew her to the wines of Central and Eastern Europe and how she has seen the region evolve over the course of her career. The discussion explores the growing importance of indigenous grape varieties, their role in defining regional identity and authenticity, and their prospects in an increasingly competitive global wine market.

The conversation also offers valuable insights into how international wine professionals perceive the Czech wine industry and the opportunities that local varieties present for building recognition abroad.

As with previous episodes featuring international guests, this episode is recorded in English.

You can listen to Episode 042: Master of Wine Caroline Gilby on the Future of Central and Eastern European Wines and Indigenous Grape Varieties on Spotify or on the National Wine Centre website. 

This podcast is produced with the support of the Czech Wine Fund.